Health Risk Of Using Diet Pills

Many diet pills promise miraculous results while failing to disclose serious health risks to consumers. Those interested in diet pills should tread carefully and make smart decisions when it comes to weight loss supplements. "When you're buying this type of product on the Internet or at a retail store, and it appears too good to be true, it likely is too good to be true," says Michael Levy, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's drugs and labeling compliance division.

Regulation

MayoClinic.com warns that over-the-counter dietary supplements and "natural" weight-loss aids do not have to meet the same rigorous standards as prescription drugs. The FDA has little power to regulate these types of supplements, therefore they come into the market with limited proof of safety or effectiveness. Once consumers begin taking these products, the FDA can then begin to monitor their safety and ban or recall products that prove dangerous.

Tainted Pills

Since the FDA has limited ability to regulate natural weight loss supplements, some diet pill manufacturers may release tainted diet pills that contain undeclared and dangerous ingredients that may pose serious health risks to consumers. This scenario happened in 2008, when the FDA issued an alert warning consumers not to consume 69 different weight loss supplements, such as Sliminate, Imelda Fat Reducer and Somotrim. FDA analysis found that the tainted pills included various dangerous ingredients such as cancer-causing agents, anti-seizure medications, controlled substances and drugs unapproved for use in the U.S. The FDA warned consumers that the undeclared substances in these pills could cause serious health risks, such as seizures, strokes and heart attacks.

Liver Damage

Just because a diet pill is FDA approved doesn't mean it's safe. In May 2010, the FDA-approved weight loss pills Xenical and Alli came under scrutiny after 13 instances of liver damage were attributed to the drugs. After these reports surfaced, the FDA sent out a consumer warning and urged doctors to monitor patients for signs of liver damage. A warning label was later added to Alli, three years after it gained FDA approval.

Heart Risks

Also in 2010, the diet pill Meridia received attention after studies found that it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. After more than 10 years on the market, the FDA convened an expert panel to discuss whether Meridia should be recalled. The editors of the "New England Journal of Medicine" weighed in on the matter as well, urging the FDA to withdraw the pill. "It is difficult to discern a credible rationale for keeping this medication on the market," the journal's editors concluded. Though Meridia was recalled in Europe due to the documented heart risks, as of October 2010 the drug was still under review by the FDA and available for purchase.

Suggestions

Do your homework before taking any kind of prescription or over-the-counter diet pills, advises MayoClinic.com.Talk with your doctor about any possible health risks associated with diet pills, and check the FDA website for safety alerts and product recalls.